Building Standards - COVID-19 Procedures

With the Building Standards service operational again following the temporary suspension enforced by the Covid-19 restrictions there are several procedural changes relating to service delivery which I should bring to your attention.

Contact – the Building Standards team are working remotely from home and during office hours the preferred method of contact is by work email, i.e:

building.standards@orkney.gov.uk
steven.poke@orkney.gov.uk
juan.delvalle@orkney.gov.uk
mike.gray@orkney.gov.uk
david.atkinson@orkney.gov.uk
tracy.dennison@orkney.gov.uk 
philip.williams@orkney.gov.uk
jack.leslie@orkney.gov.uk

Telephone - Our inspection team are also available by telephone:

• Mike Gray (East) 07876230241.
• David Atkinson (West) 07765241527.

For all other telephone enquiries:

• Jack Leslie 07789834356.

One-stop shop – the council reception is closed until further notice and face-to-face consultation is not presently available.

Site inspection – the Building Standards inspection service is currently suspended; however you do have the option of submitting alternative evidence in the form of photographs or video clip. Please contact your area inspector for further information.

Dangerous Buildings – we will continue to react to reports of dangerous buildings where there is a risk of injury to members of the public.

Applications/Forms – can be submitted electronically via the eBuildingStandards portal
We would discourage hard copy paper submissions due to the possible risk of contact infection and delays associated with processing mail.

Payments - for those customers wishing to make payments for Building Standards services you can pay with your card by telephone 01856873535, the Councils online payment facility, or for those making online submissions, via the eDevelopment.Scot portal.

Cheques will continue to be accepted although payment processing may experience delays.

Completion Certificates – we will continue to process Completion Certificate submissions however with no inspection service available any acceptance will be dependent on the provision of reliable alternative evidence. Where acceptance of a completion certificate is not possible then a temporary occupation certificate may be issued, providing the evidence provided is sufficient to address safety.

These measures are essential to protect us all during this difficult time and please be assured that with your continued support the Building Standards team will make every effort to deliver our essential service with as little further disruption as possible until the current restrictions are lifted.

Best regards.

Jack Leslie.
Principal Building Standards Officer.